Myki cash grab disables machines

Myki machines at suburban railway stations have been damaged in an apparent attempt to steal cash, sparking a police investigation.

The damaged machines cannot accept notes, forcing passengers at those stations to top up with credit cards or coins or search for the nearest myki retailer.

Fairfax Media has seen multiple vandalised machines unable to take notes at unstaffed stations along the Upfield line.

Public Transport Victoria did not reveal how many machines have been damaged, saying the matter was "subject to police investigation".

"A number of myki machines at train stations have been vandalised resulting in the machine being unable to accept notes," a spokesman said.

The spokesman said some of the vandalised machines had already been returned to full service and the system operator, Kamco, was working to fix the rest as quickly a possible.

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"Given the matter is subject to an ongoing police investigation, Public Transport Victoria is not in a position to make any further comment," the spokesman said.

The damaged myki machines recall similar problems in the 1990s when thieves broke into Metcard ticketing machines. At the time, Metcard machine theft was so serious and widespread the state government hired security guards to patrol suburban railway stations around the clock.

Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said it was inevitable thieves would attempt to break into myki machines at some stage.